Louise is a USA-based Scottish musician and photographer who uses both mediums to tell stories old and new.
Growing up in the culturally rich Orkney islands gave Louise a solid grounding in music: she started playing fiddle at the age of 7. Since then she has honed her craft at Glasgow’s renowned session scene while studying at the city’s Art School, before winning a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, Boston. Masterfully blending traditional and classical arrangements, her work is thoughtful, and complex, curious and playful. She composes in response to her roots and the world
around her; weaving through stories of connection to people, nature, the past and the possibility of the future.
You’ll hear excerpts from a few of Louise’s original tunes throughout the episode, starting with the title track from her newest album “The Lost Summer”, a lively tune featuring a chorus of unison fiddles. Later, you’ll hear a breezy strathspey called “Adam & Eric’s”, and to round out the episode, “Pinnacle”, a tune characterized by a driving, percussiveness, and featuring a mandolin mirroring the fiddle melody, along with some fun harmonies.
Some of the topics we cover during our conversation today are:
- The crossover between Scottish and New England fiddle traditions
- The benefits of studying folk music from cultures outside of our own
- How having multiple mediums as an artist can give us a unique perspective
Links to Louise Bichan's music:
https://www.louisebichan.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/c/LouiseBichanOrkney